Il Pescatore Restaurant

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#22 of 618 Restaurants in Southend-on-SeaItalian, Pizza, ££ - £££

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Il Pescatore Restaurant

Review

At a glance

Open until 9:30 PM

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Website

+44 1702 341892Improve this listing

About

Travellers' Choice

2024

AN ADVENTURE IN FRESHLY FORAGED PRODUCE WITH RUSTIC FLAVOUR & CHARM 30 Years Of Italian Heritage The Burzotta family set up one of the first authentically run Italian Restaurants in Southend-On-Sea Essex. The recipes of the old country, the fresh ingredients, the simplicity of Italian cooking, all deliciously accompanied with fine wines, representative of the Italian regions, brought to the town centre of Southend, the traditions of Italian heritage & culinary cuisine. As the restaurant grew in popluarity, relatives came to visit, with some remaining. Il Pescatore restaurant's lifespan now reaches close to 30 years of trading, it can proudly profess to be the original and one of the longest running family establishments in the town.

Features

CUISINES

Italian, Pizza, Mediterranean, European, Sicilian, Southern-Italian

Meal types

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours, Drinks

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Accepts Credit Cards

Free Wifi

Full Bar

Highchairs Available

Mastercard

Outdoor Seating

Parking Available

Reservations

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Street Parking

Table Service

Takeout

Visa

Wheelchair Accessible

Location

4 Queens Road Ss11Lu, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1LU England

Parking Available, Street Parking

Does this restaurant offer outdoor seating?

Yes

Unsure

Order delivery

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Hours

Suggest an edit

Open until 9:30 PM

Sunday

10:30 - 23:00

Monday

12:00 - 21:30

Tuesday

12:00 - 21:30

Wednesday

10:30 - 23:00

Thursday

10:30 - 22:30

Friday

10:30 - 23:00

Saturday

10:30 - 23:00

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4.7

1,405 reviews

Excellent

1,123

Very good

179

Average

Poor

Terrible

futtock21

London17263 contributions

Trencherman Italian style

Sept 2024 • solo

A favourite haunt of mine this on the rare occasions I am called upon to advocate on someone’s behalf in the Southend Family Court combining as it does my love of all things Italian with my taste for seafood. It did not disappoint. A traditional tricolore salad straight out of the 1980s with mozzarella avocado and tomato made for an auspicious start. Two labourers with an Eastern European accent each feasted on steak as I waited for my main of skate from the specials board. I’m used to skate wing in a biter sauce and occasionally battered skate middle. But what I was presented with on more of a platter than a plate on a yellow buttery soup felt like a couple of wings and middle combined from what must have been quite some fish. The meat on one side of its bony divide had the thickness of swordfish. Long slithers of carrot felt more like decoration than a side dish, Sauté potatoes in a bowl were a more satisfying accompaniment.

Written 28 September 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hello

Westcliff-on-Sea68 contributions

A genuine Italian restaurant. Excellent food and wine

Jul 2024 • couples

It is rare these days to experience a truly Italian restaurant that offers the real deal this is often because the chefs are not from Italy . This place offers a truly Italian experience both in food and wine . The service is also relaxed and attentive and you feel you are dining in one of the local restaurants in Rome . Would definitely recommend this place

Written 12 July 2024

Michael B

1 contribution

Traditional Italian vibe

Nov 2023 • family

Where do i start, from the moment we stepped in through the door you had a sense of the Italian vibe, felt warm and welcoming, such a traditional restaurant. We skipped starters as we had a few drinks and some garlic bread and olives on the table (great portions). Our table had a mixture of steaks, pizza's and pasta dishes as there were 8 of us, all dishes come out hot and plenty to eat. I had the steak and it was cooked to perfection, complements to the chef on that one. After more drinks to finish the evening. We couldn't fault a thing and we was happy with the bill, we even got a couple of free shots from the young waitress lol Highly recommended 👌

Written 6 November 2023

Louise M

14 contributions

Worst italian we've had

Jul 2024 • couples

Went for a meal last night and I would not return. Started with scallops and king prawns priced at 14.95 very chewy. Followed by carbonara so much cream it was very stodgy, chopped up slices of bacon rather than lardons. It was the worst carbonara I've ever had. Very disappointed with the whole meal. My partner had garlic pizza bread with cheese to start which was nice Followed by breaded chicken and spag bol which we thought was a weird combo but gave it a try, very bland. Neither of us finished our meals which we normally do anywhere else. Personally wouldn't recommend.

Written 8 July 2024

Misura C

London207 contributions

Ok service, and poor and expensive food

Nov 2022 • friends

We had lunch with friends. Service was good, even tho we've found 40 pounds more in our hand written bill and we had to ask for a revision. The food was barely ok. We had seafood risotto, which are just ok; it came out from the kitchen in 10 minutes, so we can just assume it was precooked rice with some precooked sauce made with frozen fish, as the texture of the seafood was a bit on the softy and bland side. We also got seafood linguine, which was pretty much like the risotto... I got the monkfish, which came with a pink tomato sauce (cream must have been used), mushroom and vinegary onions...it was bland and lacked of salt...a bit of a disaster. I got my monkfish with a side of broccoli and carrots that were rather mushy and a little soggy (most possibly from frozen), and also cauliflower with cheese that I did not even touch, and chips, which were good. The garlic bread was good tho. For 2 starters, 4 mains, 4 glass of house white, 2 deserts and 2 half liter waters we spent £150, so it was about £37.5 each for a bunch below average food. This is way overpriced! Avoid this place and go for a cheap but at least good fish and chips instead. They promote their food as Italian, but what I tasted have nothing to do with Italy. They should not be allowed to say they make Italian food

Written 12 November 2022

Inga M

3 contributions

Overpriced for the frozen vegetables and average food. Run down place

Oct 2022 • friends

It was very expensive 1 starter and 2 mains £82. We were very disappointed that the starter came with a bread that was at least a few days old. The steak came with steamed vegetables (£11) that was still half frozen probably from iceland. After mentioning it, waitress didn’t bother reducing price but when brought the bill managed to make mistake and charge more. Really wouldn’t go again.

Written 24 October 2022

Il Pescatore

1st of all you need to learn some manners you horrible nasty piece of work!!! The minute you walked in nothing was ever going to be good enough. Tell the truth!!! Its clear that you are a very bitter person Miss Inga Mas!!! You complained about the food yet you polished everything on your plate!!! Laughable really!!! You ive never seen anyone complain yet not leave a single crumb? When your orderd you were already moaning that the vegetables werent included? You ordered Octopus which was prepared fleshly and you had the audacity to say it wasn't fresh? Yet again you were seen licking your fingers? You also moaned about the price to the waitress and were very rude to her? We could see that your guest was very happy but mortified by your actions. Also fir the record you had octopus...2 fillet steaks 1 in mushroom sauce 2 selection of vegetables +pints of Peroni and your Bill came to 82 pounds? What planet do you live on? Finally You mentioned Frozen from Iceland? Clearly an indication that you shop there and that is what you are use to eating. Lastly but not leat you say our Restaurant is run down? Anyone that knows Il Pescatore knows that its not Run down...The only thing that us run down is your pathetic little boat!!! And your Mickey Mouse company ALPINE FRABRICATION LTD!!! Get lost and dont come back!!!

Written 25 October 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

bledi

Southend-on-Sea1 contribution

Real Italian!!!

Nov 2022 • couples

Excellent in every possible way!! My wife and I had a very enjoyable mean here Saturday night. The Restaurant was packed out which is a good sign. The Pinacolada is by far the best We have ever tasted! We both Had seafood tagliatelle with chilli washed down with a nice bottle of Primitivo. Although the restaurant was busy the staff are very attentive and the price is very reasonable. We certainly going to come back and sample the rest of the menu as there so many dishes we want to try.

Written 14 November 2022

Kianna S

1 contribution

Best Italian in Town!

Dec 2023 • couples

Best Italian in Southend!!! Hidden gem in town. Tucked away just off Southend high street in Queen rd you will find the most beautiful restaurant ever. The food was amazing!!! The garlic bread with cheese was to die for. My partner had Scallops and prawns and I went for the Burrata with Parma ham. Both were bustling with favours, the Burrata just melted in your mouth and the scallops were cooked to perfection. For the main course we both went for the fillet steak Rossini. The steak was medium rare which is just how we like it. Full of flavours and nice and juicy. We shared the chocolate fondant for dessert and I’m glad we did because we were both stuffed by the end of it. The staff were very welcoming and always smiling they made us feel very welcome. We will certainly be back! Thank you

Written 23 December 2023

Besim D

2 contributions

absolutely love it here wouldn’t change it for the world

Nov 2023 • family

A decade-long love affair with this Italian haven culminates in a glowing review. Their commitment to authenticity is unparalleled, evident in each meticulously crafted dish. The fresh fish, a testament to their dedication to quality, consistently delights my taste buds. The chefs' expertise shines through, ensuring a culinary journey that transports you straight to Italy. Combine this with attentive service and a cozy atmosphere, and you have a dining experience that remains unmatched in town. Here's to many more years of relishing the sublime flavors of this culinary treasure.

Written 15 November 2023

sue_culham

Benfleet11 contributions

Had better…… much better

Jan 2022 • friends

Slow service, no lunch menu, food not as good as Gamberos in Rayleigh. Had cozze marinara just a bowl of mussels in a bowl of watery tomato sauce. Even the waitress said when taking the bowl “careful it’s full of watery sauce Won’t rush back

Written 31 January 2022

Il Pescatore

Slow service? Its funny that you fail to mention that when the waitress asked you if you were ready to order you're reply was not yet? (20min later) the order was placed in the kitchen and prepared within 15minutes? You mention the mussels were watery etc yet you Polished the plate? And further more you had fried calamari and a seabass? As for a lunch time menu if only you would have asked we would have given you the lunchtime set menu if that is what you mean by lunch menu? After all you did order from the ala carte menu which is a lunchtime menu?And yes please dont rush back.. the world does not need miserable people like yourself!!! By the way the couple sitting next to you were really pleased with their meal 🙂

Written 31 January 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Melanie P

Staines1 contribution

Very poor. Tasteless

Oct 2023 • couples

We were disappointed. My Monk fish was tough but more importantly the assortment of vegetables were inedible. They were not fresh. The brocoli had turned yellow. The carrots and cauliflower were frozen and were tasteless and hard. We explained why we couldn't eat the vegbut were still charged the full price. Unfortunately the staff were unhelpful. I rarely complain but we had a most unpleasant experience.

Written 8 October 2023

claire Raffike

We serve Hundreds of portions of Monk fish every week and we have yet to have had a complaint. The truth is that you were after a discount and the manager refused to give it to you. Even thou you had eaten 90% of everything and asked if everything was fine?to which you replied ok. If there was a problem you should told the staff before? And not when you have been given the bill.

Written 11 October 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Julliette B

2 contributions

Best Italian in Southend by far!

Feb 2022 • couples

I've lived in Southend almost all my life and never come across this beautiful restaurant that's hidden on Queens Road. My partner took me here for valentines and all I can say is WOW! a three course meal only at £29 with a gorgeous starter, I had a beautiful stuffed mushroom and a lovely steak for my mains...the amazing waitress 'liona' recommended a traditional dessert that I've never tried and that was a 'canolo' I even asked for one to take home to my little boy as they were so good! The staff were absolutely amazing, so welcoming and polite. I even booked a table for this weekend I can't wait to get back to Il Pescatore! Thank you for having us x

Written 18 February 2022

EmmaDawn

Southend-on-Sea9 contributions

Excellent Birthday Lunch

Apr 2023 • friends

I have always enjoyed my visits to Il Pescatore and today was another brilliant one, I bought my friend here for her birthday lunch and from the second we walked in, we were made to feel so welcome, the food was delicious (especially the tiramisu for dessert!) and the service was exceptional. The staff are all so lovely, we will continue to visit and I will continue to recommend Il Pescatore to my friends and family, best restaurant in town by a mile!

Written 29 April 2023

saffron56

Cambridge15 contributions

WOW, The best Italian food I have had outside of Italy, even on par with some Italy favourites

Feb 2023 • none

Visiting Southend-on-Sea for a theatre show, having lived there previously I was excited as I always rate the food scene in the area. Wanting to try somewhere different I asked a friend of mine from the area where they would recommend eating and they gave a list of options with Il Pescatore as one of those. I looked online and the place looked good, cute and quaint and knowing my partner loves Italian food thought let's give it a go. Well this recommendation was absolutely spot on! I can't believe i didnt knokw about this place when i lived locally. First of all you step intok a restaurant that makes you feel like you've stepped off the streets of Essex into Italy itself, the setting is intimate, and quaint with a real rustic family run feel. We had booked which I'm pleased we did as the restaurant is faily small however this really adds to the charm and wouldn't want the restaurant any bigger as otherwise it may lose some of this. We had a lovely waiter who sat us and spoke about the menu which was great to see this care taken. Whilst trying to decide we took several moments as the waiter was passing by to ask questions and recommendation on the menu and the waiter happily answered all of these with a real care which is unfortunately hard to come by these days. What was great was from our table I could see into the kitchen and able to see them taken fresh dough and kneeding it into shape with care to create some amazing looking pizza's with a smell that filled the restaurant. Equally knowing if the pizza's are this fresh then I imagine the pasta to be also I was torn in what to order. To save having to make that biggest decision of all we opted to forgo starters and ordered a pasta dish each and a pizza to share between us which I would deffinately recommend to anyone to do as it gives you the chance to sample the best of both. Now onto the important part, well the food was ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! I rarely say this about food in restaurants in the UK these days, but the food blew me away! This place is a true hidden gem and one not to be missed when in the area. If I lived closer, I would be eating here every chance I could. The food was fresh, with a gorgeous smell filling the restaurant and I didn't want the meal to end. We didn't order dessert so can't comment on that however we did look over the menu and it didn't seem to have the same jazz and appeal of the main menu, so maybe a refresh of the dessert options would be my only improvement feedback to offer. We did however finish our meal with coffee which I would rate as good but this could and should be improved considering gorgeous Italian coffee's on offer, however these are small things as the restaurant truly delivers exactly where it needs to.......the food! What an incredible little restaurant.

Written 14 February 2023

Eileen

United Kingdom19 contributions

Great place to eat

Apr 2022 • none

Great restaurant What a gem of a restaurant! The food was really nice, had the fillet steak which was mouthwatering. I should have asked for the sauce on the side ( which was also fab). As for service, Pedro was really friendly and cheerful, there was one other waitress who was constantly laughing and chatting quite loudly with the other waiters ( a little unprofessional) . Unfortunately I had to drop a star for the grubby menu cards which were not cleaned properly, not a good first impression of a place when you get handed a dirty menu and I also had to ask to have one of the wine glasses replaced as it was all watermarked . The second star lost for the dessert, which was the lemon meringue pie __tasteless with soggy pastry , possible out of a freezer, wish I had just had ice cream ( the amaretto ice cream was fab) . A must-visit restaurant, just don’t have the lemon meringue dessert!